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East County | Neighbors

Sarasota's Kelley Rouse celebrates after she participates in the Bus Pull for Inclusion, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Inclusion Revolution, that will assist in providing job-related resources to people with disabilities.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 16, 2026
Bus pull raises $22,455 for Sarasota nonprofit

Inclusion Revolution's bus pull gave community members the opportunity to test their strength at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hysen Muhametaj, Jamison Eige, Ron Major and Sydney Bartlett of Direct Window & Door celebrate Eige's win at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 14, 2026
Spicy showdown at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off

On March 12 in Lakewood Ranch, members tasted and voted for their favorite out of 13 entrants.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club

The club raises funds for four charities — Hope Family Services, Solve Maternity Homes, Smart With Heart and Children's Guardian Fund.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A bird box for purple martins sits on the golf course at the Ritz-Carlton Members Club of Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 13, 2026
Wildlife checks into the Ritz in Lakewood Ranch

The Ritz-Carlton Members Club earns recertification with the Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Art in the Park will take place on March 14-15 at the University Park Country Club. It will feature different mediums of art from 50 artists including Michael Parkinson, a co-chair for Art in the Park.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 12, 2026
University Park's Art in the Park to showcase 50 local artists

The annual event enters its 26th year and gives professional and amateur artists a chance to showcase their work.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rosemarie Herke, the president of the German American Social Club of Sarasota, has been in that position for 10 years. She said the club is about preserving German culture through dance and socialization.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 11, 2026
German American Social Club of Sarasota has danced through 75 years

The club celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special event at Tara Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club members Bethy Bacon, Cheryl Scheid, Brenda Rooks (back), Brenda Webb, Sylvia Abdelsalam and Penny Kress (front) are eager to welcome community members to Garden Fest March 14.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Garden Club to host Garden Fest

On March 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members will have the opportunity to learn about gardening and nature from experts.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rex Jensen welcomes Fabienne and Brett Hutchens to the party at the Sarasota Polo Club.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 9, 2026
Having fun makes horse sense at the Sarasota Polo Club

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch hosts a "fun day" Polo Brunch party with 250 guests.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan, Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, and Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation President Jeffrey Toale gather together after Phillips accepted a $25,000 grant to beautify Daybreak.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 9, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honors 2025 grant recipients

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation gave $90,000 worth of grants to 22 nonprofits.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch

The Irish Celtic Festival featured Irish music, dance, food and more at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gracie, who was trained at Dogs Inc., has returned happiness to the life of Lakewood Ranch's Mark Thornsbrough.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2026
By the Grace of Dogs Inc., Lakewood Ranch resident sees the light

Detached retinas sent Mark Thornsbrough into darkness and depression, but Gracie the guide dog has restored his passion for life.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Medallion Home's Kellie Reith (left) and Mark Santiago (right) chat with Judy Athari (center) of Berkshire Hathaway during the 2026 Manatee Realtor Preview event March 5 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 6, 2026
Realtors, builders ready for the parade in Lakewood Ranch-area

The Suncoast Builders Association runs its 2026 Parade of Homes from March 7-29.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Linda Medina and Aliana Donald, second graders at Daughtrey Elementary, are eager to answer any questions Miss Gina might ask about the books she reads.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 4, 2026
Books for Kids continues to bring reading passion to elementary students

The Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch program provides reading volunteers to 10 schools in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Curran Foundation's flagship project in Wake County, North Carolina is the Triangle Aquatic Center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2026
Curran Foundation is new to Lakewood Ranch but not to giving

The foundation has made a nearly $13 million investment in Wake County, North Carolina, and now is investing in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2026-27
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 4, 2026
Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2026-27

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2026-27 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest in East County

1
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approve the purchase of 9000 Town Center Parkway May 6.
  • April 1, 2026
DOGE questions Manatee County's capital expenditures, additional staff
2
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research
3
Lakewood Ranch Little League plays at Lakewood Ranch Park March 25.
  • April 1, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Little League expands to improve accessibility
4
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America
5
Late Commissioner Carol Ann Felts will be honored April 18 at Crane Park.
  • March 31, 2026
Manatee County names Myakka preserve after late commissioner Carol Felts

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